Head of Advanced Weapons Program Arrested, Charged with Treason

A Russian researcher collaborating within the nation’s hypersonic weapons program is suspected of treason, in response to a brand new report.

Alexander Kuranov, 73, the overall director of the Hypersonic Programs Analysis Facility, might be detained, Russian state information reported, in response to Reuters.

Kuranov oversaw improvement work on a proposed hypersonic plane dubbed Ayaks.

The idea of such an plane dates again to the Soviet period.

“In line with the preliminary info, Kuranov, who has been engaged on hypersonic applied sciences for years, has shared labeled details about scientific analysis with a overseas citizen,” the Interfax information company reported, in response to The Guardian.

Interfax mentioned Kuranov is suspected of “conferences and interactions with overseas residents.”

“Curiosity was demonstrated by representatives of the USA and China,” the information company mentioned.

A report within the Daily Mail mentioned Kuranov met with a consultant of an unnamed NATO nation.

A Russian courtroom launched footage of what it mentioned was Kuranov being taken to a listening to. The person within the video was masked and wore a hoodie that obscured a lot of his face.

State treason is punishable by as much as 20 years in jail.

Info on treason circumstances is tough to return by in Russia as a result of that info is taken into account labeled.

Russia has been creating a number of weapons it says are hypersonic, which suggests they travel far faster than the pace of sound.

In July, Russia mentioned that trials on its new Zircon hypersonic missile might be wrapped up this yr, The Associated Press reported.

The trials supposedly embody a test firing of the missile later this month.

Russia says it’s creating a 208-ton hypersonic missile that may quickly start testing.

“Equipping our armed forces — the military and the navy — with the most recent, really unparalleled weapon methods will definitely make sure the protection functionality of our nation in the long run,” Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned after a Zircon take a look at final yr, in response to Defense News.

Putin has mentioned the missile will fly at 9 occasions the pace of sound.